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TIPA Camera Test Online: Panasonic GF3
By TIPA
Cameras
23 June 2011 12:41
The Panasonic GF3 is a very compact CSC system with 12 MP resolution and a touch screen for easy handling. The camera offers all standard image modes and additional scene modes for beginners. It is able to record Full HD video.
Comments on Handling
The Panasonic GF3 is the successor of the GF2. The new camera is 17 percent smaller (volume of the body) and 16 percent lighter than the GF2, making it an extremely compact camera. Due to the reduction of body dimensions there are some elements missing which were included on the GF2: the GF3 has no accessory shoe for external flash systems and no interface for the optional ELV which could be mounted on the GF2.
The camera offers a three-step interface design. It uses a standard 4-way cursor which is encircled by a setup dial to change image parameters. Most important is the touch screen which allows the user to setup parameters with a finger tip. The camera uses a special quick menu button (“Q.Menu/FN” right beside the LCD) which offers the most important settings on the LCD screen. The user can define the quick menu by simply moving the chosen function (resolution, white balance, ISO setting and more) into the menu list in the lower third of the screen. The camera offers autofocus tracking which is simply defined by a finger tip. The photographer just has to touch the area on the LCD screen which should be in focus (“touch auto focus system”). The LCD is very large (3 inches) and has a resolution of 460000 RGB dots which is an average resolution compared to LCD screens with 921000 RGB dots.
The camera offers all standard exposure mode like P, S, A and M. These modes and the scene settings are also chosen on the LCD screen because the camera doesn’t have a mode dial on the top.
The small pop-up flash system will illuminate a scene up to a range of 2 meters. The flash system mechanism is newly constructed (compared to the GF2) and raises the flashlight high above the lens system which reduces the red eye effect. An external flash system can’t be used because the accessory shoe is missing. The built-in flash system of the GF3 has no rear curtain sync.
The GF3 is able to record Full HD video (1920 x 1080 px) and uses the AVCHD format which is the standard format for HD camcorders. It uses a monoaural microphone and has no interface for an external microphone.
Combined with the optional lens, the 3D LUMIX G Objektiv 12.5 mm f/12 the camera is able to shoot 3D images.
Test shots
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The portrait shot shows the very high sharpness of the GF3 images. In combination with the Leica 25mm/F1.4 lens the camera offers very crisp and clear images.
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The standard test image has very little distortion and shows almost no chromatic aberrations. The colours are natural looking, but the image is a little under exposed (automatic P mode). There are some minor colour moirés visible (light turquoise spool in the upper right).
Comments on Image Quality
Colour:
The GF3 offers slightly over saturated images (105 percent) and especially emphasizes blue nuances by reproducing these colours with a high magenta rate. The automatic white balance system shows a tendency to produce more cooler and bluish colours, and this is a typical behaviour for Panasonic’s cameras.
The portrait shot has a very slight bluish/greenish touch, but skin tones and red nuances are natural looking. The exposure settings (automatic mode) are nearly perfect in the portrait shot but a little too dark in the standard test box shot.
Sharpness:
The camera produces sharp and crisp looking images. The resolution tests were shot with the brand new LEICA DG SUMMILUX 25mm/F1.4 ASPH which is an awesome lens system. Combined with this lens the GF3 reproduced the ISO12233 chart with 2769 lines per picture height which nearly matches the nominal resolution of 3000 lines in picture height. Some test shots using the 14mm pancake lens got an output of nearly 300 lines less.
The standard test images were taken with the Leica 25mm. The test box shot shows a sharp and crisp result, but there is a reduction of sharpness visible in the corners of the image. The very sharp results are also noticeable in the portrait shot. This image shows very clearly differentiated details like hairs and the fabric of the model’s t-shirt.
The AF system is very fast. The camera uses a contrast metering system with 23 AF areas and is able to set focus within 0.18 seconds.
Noise:
Due to the moderate relationship of sensor and pixel size (12 MP on 17.3 x 13mm Micro Four Thirds sensor) the noise results are on a good, but not perfect level. The luminance noise remains below 1.0 up to ISO speed settings of 1600. Colour noise is slightly noticeable even in images taken with lower ISO speed settings (160 to 400). You will notice that in the aberrations of the RGB graphs under “Pixel noise” in the result charts. When taking images with higher ISO speed settings (1600 to 6400) the camera will use an anti noise filtering system which causes colour smear/colour clouds in homogenous colour areas like the grey fields in our noise test chart (Stouffer 4110).
Opinion
Pros:
+ extremely compact CSC system
+ very sharp images (using the Leica 25mm f/1.4)
+ a lot of scene modes for beginners
+ full HD video
Cons:
- no accessory shoe and ELV interface anymore
To download the PDF specifications sheet for the Panasonic GF3, click HERE.
About TIPA
The Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) is a non-profit oranisation made up of a worldwide family of independent photo & imaging magazines with the most expert editors.
TIPA uses BetterNet GmbH in Heidelberg, Germany to perform routine digital camera tests based on an independent and objective testing method. The TIPA sponsored tests range from small compact cameras to popular DSLRs and even up to high-tech medium format models.
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